OPINION Port Orchard
Page A6
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Do you donate items to the local food banks? Last week: Are you satified with the election results? Results: Yes: 50%, No: 50%
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Friday, November 15, 2013 • Port Orchard Independent
Legendary coach impacted thousands
A
mother and son are walking along the shore and they notice thouComments sands of starfish have beached themselves. The mother randomly picks up one of the dying creatures and chucks it back in the ocean. The son says, “Mom, you can’t save them all. What difference will that make?” The mother responds “It made a difference to that one.” Elton Goodwin picked up countless numbers of “starfish” in his life. His impact on the Port Orchard community stretches to thousands and thousands of people. While Josh Morton famous for his three state championships and countless league championships for the South Kitsap High School baseball program, it’s his connection with people on and off the field that will keep his spirit alive forever. If we are truly six degrees of separation from knowing everyone in the world, Port Orchard is only one degree away from Elton. When I covered my first SK game for the Port Orchard Independent in the spring of 1999, I chuckled at the sight of this big green monster of a truck called “The Beast” rolling down the hill toward the field with a pack of Wolves players. Out came this short and stout man donned in pinstripes with a huge grin on his face. The baseball field may have been his sanctuary, but I believe he was smiling because he never had to stop being a kid. Coaching a kid’s game, and teaching in a kid’s world, Elton didn’t have to grow up. With his trusty sidekick (longtime assistant coach) Don Smith at his side, the duo got to hang out in the dugout among millions of used sunflower seeds and dried up spit and tell countless life and sports stories of the past and tirelessly teach life lessons to players that stretched way beyond the necessary fundamentals to succeed on and off the diamond. I can still see him in the third base coach’s box barking at his SEE MORTON, A7
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The good news is, America is bringing its troops home from Iraq and Afghanistan. However, that presents a challenge because a large number of those troops will leave the military upon their return. That shift, along with significant cuts in military spending, means tens of thousands of veterans will be looking for work. Unfortunately, those veterans have a higher rate of
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Don Brunell
unemployment than the general population — 10.1 percent, compared to 7.2 percent for the general population. Many of these brave citizens who put their lives on the line for us are returning with wounds, both physical and emotional. They must make a difficult transition from the military to civilian life, and the need to find a job in our slow economy makes that transition more difficult. They need our help and understanding. Many organizations, including the Association of Washington Business and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, have launched programs to encourage employers to hire veterans. SEE BRUNELL, A7
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Eagles are ‘People Helping People’
For 112 years, one organization has existed in neighborhoods across the United States and Canada. They have given millions of dollars to local and national charities, helped disaster relief efforts and given each and every member a plethora of reasons to be proud. I’m speaking of The Fraternal Order of Eagles. Since the organization began in 1898, Eagles everywhere have dedicated their lives to bettering the American way. Throughout our early history, we were instrumental in the creation of Mother’s Day, helped in passing Social Security and played a significant role in the Jobs After 40 program. The Eagles have raised millions of dollars every year to combat diabetes, heart disease, spinal cord injuries, kidney disease, Alzheimer’s and cancer, helped handicapped children, uplift the aged and in general make life a little brighter for everyone.
We also actively support our veterans and those currently serving our country around the world. We support numerous local charities such as the Harrison Hospital Hope Program, South Kitsap Helpline, Fathoms o’ Fun, Fisher House for Veterans, and Popes Kids. We also have a strong positive relationship with our local schools. We are the Eagles and we are, “People Helping People.” With the holiday season upon us, we will be working with SK Helpline to collect food and toys for those in need. So if you see a “giving tree” or “food bin” at any of the local businesses, take the opportunity to drop off a can of food, an age appropriate toy, or even cash. It will all be put to good use in our community. As a part of our current membership program, all active and honorably discharged veterans get their first year as an Eagle free of charge. It is important to us that the public knows our community involvement goes well SEE LETTERS, A7
Write to us: The Independent welcomes letters from its readers. Letters should be typewritten and not exceed 300 words. Send letters to P.O. Box 27, Port Orchard, WA 98366, or fax to (360) 876-4458, or email to editor@portorchardindependent.com. 2497 Bethel Road, Suite 102, Port Orchard 98366 or Administrative Office: 3888 NW Randall Way, Suite 100 Silverdale, WA 98383 Opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Independent or its staff